WASHINGTON: SPEECH OF HON. JIM COSTA OF CALIFORNIA IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
US Official News
March 12, 2014 Wednesday
TUESDAY, MARCH 11, 2014
Washington
The Library of Congress, The Government of USA has issued the
following Speech:
Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, today I rise as I do every year in recognition
of the anniversary of the pogroms aqainst the people of Armenian
descent in Sumgait, Azerbaijan. On February 27, 1988, anti-Armenian
forces began killing Armenians and driving them from their homes.
Scores of Armenians were killed, hundreds were wounded, and thousands
were left as refugees without their homes or livelihoods. The
violence went on for three days as Armenian women and girls were
viciously raped.
Days before this massacre, the Armenians of Nagorno Karabakh began
peacefully protesting against the Soviet Azerbaijani oppression and
discrimination. From this peaceful protest and the fires of the pogroms
arose the spark that started the democracy movement that ultimately
brought down the Soviet Empire.
Sadly, anti-Armenian rhetoric and cross-border attacks continue at
the hands of the Azerbaijani government. Azerbaijan has consistently
obstructed the peace process, walked away from its own agreements,
and continued to threaten war. This is unacceptable, and the violence
and harmful words must come to an end.
Today, I ask my colleagues to stand with me in remembrance of the
Sumgait pogroms, in support of a true and lasting peace in the region,
and in recognition of the contributions of Armenian Americans to the
San Joaquin Valley I call home and the entire Nation.
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From: A. Papazian